News

The United States flag was first imagined after the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. The Continental Congress authorized creation of the first national flag on June 14, 1777. It was decided that the flag should have 13 stripes, alternating red and white, to represent the original 13 colonies, and that the new union be represented by 13 white stars in a blue field to signify a new constellation. Francis Hopkinson, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, is most often credited with the origi-nal design.

989-387-3735 Whittemore-Prescott Area School’s Class of 2023 graduates are not the only ones moving on to the next chapter in life; W-P superintendent Joseph Perrera is, too. Perrera announced his retirement at the board of education’s February meeting.

Consider this a firsthand account of clearing clutter. I read several self-help books; I sought advice from those who call themselves experts.

West Branch Kiwanis Club is assisting My Michigan Medical Center- West Branch with the Community Garden located near the pavilion at Tolfree Wellness Park. The garden project’s vision is to have different generations working in the community to teach and learn while growing a variety of fruits and vegetables that can be used by the gardeners, shared or sold.

989-387-3735 Area kids walked around downtown West Branch during the evening May 20 to “Be the Light and Seize the Awkward.” “Seize the Awkward” is a national campaign that encourages young adults 16 to 24 years old to talk about mental health. The campaign provides resources to help young adults get over the “awkward hump” of starting a conversation about mental health with friends.

West Branch – On Saturday, April 29, 2023, Miller Construction & Equipment celebrated a milestone of 50 years in business. In 1973 Ogemaw Farm & Dairy Supply began servicing area dairy farms with equipment, feed handling systems, grain bins, and small construction projects. In 1991 the company incorporated and changed its name to Miller Construction & Equipment, Inc. This once small operation is now the much larger construction and equipment company seen today, with 50 years of completed projects spanning across Michigan. Miller Construction & Equipment holds dealerships with Lester Buildings, Butler (BlueScope) Steel Buildings, Westphaila Surge, Patz and others.

Local Extension Educators visited Congressional offices to share their work with Michigan agricultural producers as well as the impact our food safety programs have on volunteers and professionals. Michigan State University Extension Educators Kara Lynch, Cheyenne Sloan and Phil Durst were in Washington D.C.

989-387-3735 The AuSable Valley Community Mental Health Authority held its third and last Mental Health Awareness Day May 20 at Newman Park in Skidway Lake. The weather was cloudy and cool, but that didn’t stop people from coming out to tie-dye t-shirts that said “I am enough” or “How you talk to yourself matters.” People also had the opportunity to learn yoga poses, meditation techniques, and to get their face painted.

Robert Schroder celebrated his 99th birthday at Ogemaw County Commission on Aging May 17 with friends and family. Schroder’s birthday is May 13.

Experienced and novice geocachers came to The Gathering Place in West Branch May 20 to celebrate the launch of the Ogemaw Roscommon Bureau’s GeoTour. There were even geocachers from Minnesota, Tennessee, and Canada.